Meals

10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Bus , Train , Bullet train

Accommodation

RYOKANS : & MINSHUKUS: Japanese-style accommodation - ryokans or minshukus (traditional inn/guesthouse) involve sleeping on futons or matresses on tatami mat floors, with bedding often packed away during the day. Attached bathrooms/toilets will usually be very small and many will only have shared bathing facilities with certain hours, or times available for booking at reception. Your leader will explain etiquette involved in using the shared facilities. As this style of accommodation will often not have furniture (ie. chairs or beds) in the rooms, please consider choosing a different trip style in Japan if you have difficulty getting up from the floor or have knee, hip or back issues. Some establishments may have a curfew when travellers need to be back in the accommodation - this is usually around midnight. Please also be aware that you would normally be required to change to slippers when entering into your room in such properties. Extra fees will be charged if dirty marks are left on their beddings or towels that require professional cleaning. Hotel (9 nights), Temple (1 night)

Guide

All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. You can expect your Intrepid Food Adventures group leader to be passionate about the local food scene and keen to share their insider knowledge on the best authentic local food and drink experiences throughout your trip. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Others

Tokyo - Welcome dinner Tokyo - Asakusa guided walk & Sensoji Temple Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market & Sushi Tasting Tokyo - Art of Sushi-making class Kanazawa - Leader-led orientation walk Kanazawa – Chaya gai district walking tour Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Garden Kanazawa - Home cooking class Kanazawa - Omicho market tour Kyoto - Leader-led orientation walk Kyoto - Gion District walk Uji - Green Tea Farm Visit with tea tasting Kyoto - Nishiki Market walk Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Shrine Kyoto - Sake Brewery & tasting Koya-san - Okuno-in Mausoleum Osaka – Tour of Kuromon Market and Doguyasuji Arcade Osaka - Dotonbori Tour Osaka – Depachika visit

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included.

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Others

Other activities and services not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Tokyo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Tokyo

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Between the freshest ingredients and generations of culinary know-how, this is a country that celebrates the art of eating well. Your adventure begins in Tokyo – a food lover’s dream. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you get to Tokyo with time to spare, you may like to head out to explore the different sides of the city, from fascinating museums to neighbourhood backstreets lined with izakaya and karaoke bars. After your meeting, it’s time to get acquainted with local cuisine over a welcome dinner with your group. Fancy some perfectly grilled yakitori skewers or super tasty soba noodles? You’re in the right place. Once dinner’s done and stomachs are full, maybe head out to explore Shibuya’s backstreets in search of sake or a couple of local cocktails.
Day 2 Day 2: Tokyo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Tokyo

Kick off the day with a walk around the famous Tsukiji Outer Market, where seafood from Tokyo’s largest wholesale fish market is delivered and ready to sample daily. After, learn the art of sushi making firsthand – it’s the quintessential Edo-era specialty and possibly Japan’s most famous culinary gift to the world. Hear about the history of sushi, how to choose the best fish, learn proper slicing and rice-making techniques and sample some seriously fresh sushi. Then, enjoy free time to explore the historic Asakusa area. Stop by Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple, founded almost 1400 years ago. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then Asakusa is the place to get your sugar fix. Try fried sweet potatoes tossed in sugar and soy or sweet red bean paste sandwiched between baked pancake batter (yes, it’s as good as it sounds!). Tonight, why not head to Tsukishima to tuck into one of Tokyo’s most traditional dishes, monjayaki (a type of savoury pancake).
Day 3 Day 3: Kanazawa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kanazawa

Take the train towards Japan’s northern coastline to the historic city of Kanazawa. Having avoided much of the destruction of World War 2, it’s a place where modern and traditional Japan go hand in hand. On the train, you’ll be treated to ekiben for lunch – a bento box popularly sold on trains in Japan – yum! When you arrive in Kanazawa, join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, followed by a visit to the Chaya Gai district. With its well-preserved streets and old wooden tea houses, this is where geisha perform music and dance for small private functions. In the evening, join your leader for an optional dinner to sample local dishes bursting with regional flavour, particularly fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. The unique blend of warm and cold currents creates the perfect conditions for a wide variety of fish and shellfish year-round, including the famed Kano crabs and sweet prawns.
Day 4 Day 4: Kanazawa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Kanazawa

This morning after breakfast, visit the lush, 17th-century Kenroku-en Garden – a highly intricate landscaped acreage of bridges, ponds, waterfalls, fountains and tea houses that are beautiful no matter the season. Perhaps stop for a cup of freshly whisked matcha tea on your stroll through the extensive grounds. Then, take a walk around Omicho market – the hub of Kanazawa’s food culture. Explore the stalls and seek out the best seasonal ingredients, learning how to spot the freshest seafood and vegetables along the way. Then head to a local home for a cooking class with an expert foodie. Pick up some tips and tricks on how to cook local cuisine, learn the history of Kanazawa’s favourite foods and then enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. This afternoon, you’re free to explore Kanazawa at your leisure.
Day 5 Day 5: Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Kyoto

Today, you’ll make your way by train to Kyoto – a city regarded as the cultural heart of Japan. Before Tokyo, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. When you arrive, get acquainted with this gorgeous city on an orientation walk with your leader, making your way to the narrow streets of Kyoto’s charming Gion district. Here, you’ll learn about the city’s geisha culture. If you’re lucky, you might spot geiko (geisha) or maiko (apprentice geisha) in their elaborate dress and makeup. Join your leader for an optional dinner to sample some of Kyoto’s trademark cuisine, like nishin soba (soba noodles with dried herring) or gyu katsu (beef cutlet).
Day 6 Day 6: Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Kyoto

Today, gear up for a fun daytrip to Uji – this small city between Kyoto and Nara is a cultural hub famous for its green tea. The Ujigami Shrine is also the oldest extant shrine in Japan and was constructed here (along with the historic Byodoin Temple) during the height of the Fujiwara clan’s power, between 794 and 1192. Known for its superior quality since the 1100s, a hot cup of Uji’s green tea is a must-have while you’re here, so you’ll be taken to a local tea farm for an insight into the growing and harvesting process. Hear about the history of Japan’s tea cultivation and production, then taste five different Japanese teas as you learn how to brew sencha and matcha using traditional utensils. After, you’ll take a leader-led walk around Uji City, stopping along the way to visit the shrine. Then, enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace.
Day 7 Day 7: Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Kyoto

Tuck into some breakfast this morning, then head out for another day of exploration around Kyoto. You’ll first visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where you’ll have some time to wander through the iconic torii gates. Snap a few pics, then refuel your energy at a local sake brewery, where you might like to pick up a bottle to take home. Continue on for a food crawl through the glass-covered Nishiki Market. This 400-year-old market is the perfect spot to pick up a few local street eats for lunch, so you’ll follow your local leader and pick out a few favourites – maybe try tako-tamago (translating to octopus egg, this must-try is a savoury surprise of baby octopus with a quails egg inserted into the head after cooking!), beef sushi, matcha sweets or tamagoyaki (an omelette filled with cabbage, carrots, green and white onions and pickled ginger). The rest of the day is free to enjoy Kyoto, whether that means walking off your food baby or heading to a local park for a rest in the sun.
Day 8 Day 8: Koya-San
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Koya-San

Rise early, hop on the train and venture into an important region for Shingon Buddhism. Founded in the 8th century by the revered Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi, Koya-san has been a centre for religious activities for over 1200 years. When you arrive, visit Okuno-in – the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. Your unique accommodation tonight is in one of the many temples still operating here. You’ll stay alongside Buddhist monks and follow their routine of evening meditation and morning prayers. Tonight, enjoy an introduction to shojin ryori, or monastic cuisine, prepared by novice monks. Shojin ryori was popularised in Japan in the 13th century by Zen monks from China. Shojin ryori is plant-based and prohibits the inclusion of meat and fish, following the teaching that it is wrong to kill living animals. Instead, meals are prepared with seasonable vegetables and wild plants from the mountains.
Day 9 Day 9: Osaka
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Osaka

Hop on public transport this morning to Osaka – Japan’s third-largest city and the unofficial culinary capital. Sprawling shopping hubs and tiny backstreets full of restaurants and bars serve up local delicacies here, as well as Japan’s answer to fast food (Osaka is credited with the first kaiten-zushi, or conveyer belt sushi restaurants). When you arrive, visit the lively Kuromon food market for a morning walk through the quirky Doguyasuji Arcade, where you can pick up some kitchen gadgets (or plastic food!) and all the Japanese bowls you’ll ever need. You’ll also learn about one of Osaka’s signature dishes and try your hand at perfecting okonomiyaki. A tasty okonomiyaki lunch will be included afterwards. This evening, maybe dive into Osaka’s twisting back alleys and experience one of the city’s typical tachinomi bars (drinking while standing), maybe sharing a few drinks with your travel pals.
Day 10 Day 10: Osaka
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Osaka

Have some breakfast this morning, then pop into a depachika – the food basement hall of one of Japan’s department stores. This is a treasure trove for food lovers, given the endless range of products beautifully displayed. It’s also one of the best ways to understand what the locals eat on a daily basis. Wander the Dotonbori district with your group this afternoon at the heart of Osaka. This bustling district, known for the iconic glowing signs all over the canal, is the go-to destination for local nightlife, delicious cuisine and diverse shopping options. Enjoy a few included snacks along the way, then you’re free for the afternoon to continue exploring at your own pace. Regroup with your fellow travellers tonight for a farewell dinner of kushikatsu (skewered meat and vegetables, battered and deep fried).
Day 11 Day 11: Osaka
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Osaka

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. You’re free to leave anytime after check-out, but your adventure doesn’t have to end here! Osaka has so much to explore, it’s recommended that you stay a few extra days and continue to feast on the city’s many foodie favourites.
Day 12 Day 12: Kyoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Kyoto

With no activities planned for today, your Japanese food adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning.

11 days tour

Japan Real Food Adventure

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Japan Real Food Adventure

Day 1: Tokyo

Day 2: Tokyo

Day 3: Kanazawa

Day 4: Kanazawa

Day 5: Kyoto

Day 6: Kyoto

Day 7: Kyoto

Day 8: Koya-San

Day 9: Osaka

Day 10: Osaka

Day 11: Osaka

Day 12: Kyoto

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